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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | woruld 'human existence, this world, age' |
Related topics:1 the planet we live on, and all the people, cities, and countries on it [↪ earth]COLLOCATIONS 
COLLOCATIONS 
a part of the world the highest/most powerful etc in the world the world's oldest/tallest etc ... around the world all over the world/the world over (=everywhere in the world) throughout/across the world (=everywhere in the world) anywhere in the world the rest of the world the whole/entire world see/travel the world (=travel to many different countries) 
a crime that shocked the world
our planet/everyone on it
the world
SG
COLLOCATIONS a part of the world the highest/most powerful etc in the world the world's oldest/tallest etc ... around the world all over the world/the world over (=everywhere in the world) throughout/across the world (=everywhere in the world) anywhere in the world the rest of the world the whole/entire world see/travel the world (=travel to many different countries)
a crime that shocked the world2 used to emphasize what you are saying
in the world
what/who/where/how etc in the world ...? (=used when you are very surprised or annoyed) What in the world are you doing here at seven in the morning?
What in the world are you doing here at seven in the morning?3 the society that we live in, the way people behave, and the kind of life we have : Parents want a better world for their children.
the society we live in
[singular]Parents want a better world for their children. the world The world is being transformed by information technology. You had to go into politics if you wanted to change the world.
The world is being transformed by information technology.You had to go into politics if you wanted to change the world. in an ideal/perfect world (=used to say how you would like things to be) In an ideal world, we would be able to recycle everything.
In an ideal world, we would be able to recycle everything. the real world (=the way life really is, not how people would like it to be or imagine it) In the real world, things are never quite so simple.
In the real world, things are never quite so simple. what is the world coming to? (=used to say that you do not like the way society is changing) Five pounds just to park your car! I don't know what the world's coming to.
Five pounds just to park your car! I don't know what the world's coming to.4 a particular group of countries the English-speaking world
group of countries
[singular]the English-speaking world5 a particular period in history
time in history
[singular]6 the life and experiences of a particular person or group of people The diary gives us an insight into Hemingway's world.
somebody's life and experiences
[countable]The diary gives us an insight into Hemingway's world.7 a particular area of activity or work, and the people who are involved in it
area of activity/work
[countable usually singular]8 all of nature, or all animals or plants considered as a group : the wonders of the natural world
nature/animals/plants
the natural/animal/plant world
HBthe wonders of the natural world9 a particular kind of place or situation, especially one that someone describes or which you imagine
place/situation
[countable usually singular] world of the nightmare world of Orwell's novel 1984 a world of lies and secrecy
the nightmare world of Orwell's novel 1984a world of lies and secrecy10 a place like the Earth in another part of the universe where other things may live :
another planet
[countable]HA11 used in the following phrases to emphasize that something is very different : I realized we were still worlds apart (=very different, especially concerning your ideas, opinions etc ).
something is very different
[countable]I realized we were still worlds apart (=very different, especially concerning your ideas, opinions etc ).12 the people who live outside a particular place or country - used when the people of that place or country do not often meet other people : Prisoners have little contact with the outside world.
the outside world
Prisoners have little contact with the outside world. be cut off from/closed to/isolated from the outside world Parts of the country have been virtually closed to the outside world for 20 years.
Parts of the country have been virtually closed to the outside world for 20 years.13 real things, rather than ideas and beliefs : Is the material world all that exists?
the material world
Is the material world all that exists?15 extremely good, enjoyable etc : The graphics and sounds are out of this world.
out of this world
informalThe graphics and sounds are out of this world.16 to be very good for someone's health or mental state : A bit of fresh air and exercise will do her a world of good.
do somebody a world of good
A bit of fresh air and exercise will do her a world of good.17 used to say that someone seems to spend a lot of time thinking or imagining things, and does not seem to notice what is happening around them :
in a world of your own/in your own little world
18 if someone or something means the world to you, or if you think the world of them, they are very important to you and you love or respect them very much : Lee thinks the world of that dog.
mean the world to somebody/think the world of somebody
Lee thinks the world of that dog.19 used to say that someone would like to do something very much : He would give the world to see her again.
somebody would give the world to do something
He would give the world to see her again.22 used to emphasize that you would not do something : I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
not for the world
I wouldn't have missed it for the world.23 there is no limit to the opportunities that someone has : If you've got a good education, the world is your oyster.
the world is your oyster
If you've got a good education, the world is your oyster.24
have the world at your feet
a) to be very famous, popular, or successful : In those days the band had the world at their feet.
In those days the band had the world at their feet.b) to be in a position where you have the chance to become very successful : a bright young lad with the world at his feet
a bright young lad with the world at his feet25 to move to a higher or lower position in society : He's gone up in the world a bit since I knew him at college.
go up/come down in the world
He's gone up in the world a bit since I knew him at college.26 to have a big effect or be very successful : Her last film didn't exactly set the world on fire.
set the world on fire/alight
spokenHer last film didn't exactly set the world on fire.27 to discuss or say how the world should be changed to make people's lives better : We were having a few beers and generally putting the world to rights.
set/put the world to rights
We were having a few beers and generally putting the world to rights.28 used to talk about a particular kind of person or group, by using one person or group as an example : The US team is new to the soccer scene, and can't expect to beat the Brazils of the world.
the Michael Jacksons/Mother Teresas/Microsofts etc of this world
spokenThe US team is new to the soccer scene, and can't expect to beat the Brazils of the world.29 to think that you should not have to work and that other people will provide you with everything you need - used to show disapproval
think the world owes you a living
30 to think that you are the most important person and everyone else should only be interested in making sure that you have what you want - used to show disapproval
(think that) the world revolves around you
31 everyone or anybody - used when you want to emphasize that a lot of people do something or anyone can do something : It seemed that the world and his wife had come to Madrid.
the world and his wife
British EnglishIt seemed that the world and his wife had come to Madrid.35 normal life in society, as opposed to a religious way of life, especially in a monastery etc :
